Nuneaton parents of murdered Megan Newborough to take protest to Sir Keir Starmer

Megan Newborough who was tragically murdered aged just 23
-Credit: (Image: Image from Sky Crime channel 'Killers Caught on Camera')


The parents of a young murdered Nuneaton woman are calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to make urgent changes to the law - now. 'Caring, cheeky and mischievous' Megan was just 23 when Ross McCullam strangled her before cutting her throat in his family home in Coalville. The pair had met at work and had been on a few dates.

On December 16 2022, he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 23 years but Megan's family tried to get this sentence increased. However, they suffered even more heartache as the court ruled that Megan's 'calculated' killer should not have his sentence increased.

"We went through so many hurdles to get to that appeal in London, it then became apparent they had already made their minds up, it is a system that is broken unfortunately," said Elaine, Megan's mother.

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They were left devastated but through their heartache they have found strength to become passionate campaigners about the sentencing of domestic homicides and have made it their mission to force a change in the law.

"You have no choice but to keep going," said Anthony, Megan's father said. "You aren't given a choice," Elaine added.

"You just try to get through the day," Elaine explained. "We just don't want people to be in the same situation that we are but sadly there are more and more people becoming part of this club that no-one really wants to belong to."

Megan's parents Elaine and Anthony, pictured on a Sky True Crime programme, will be travelling to London today to join in the protest -Credit:Sky True Crime
Megan's parents Elaine and Anthony, pictured on a Sky True Crime programme, will be travelling to London today to join in the protest -Credit:Sky True Crime

Anthony added: "It keeps Megan's name alive too, we keep talking about her, that's how we deal with it really."

They carry out their campaigning knowing that Megan, who had a passion for dancing and a love of dogs, would more than approve.

"I would imagine she'd be quite proud, I think she'd smile," Anthony said.

"She would be behind us 100 per cent definitely, she'd fight as well, she was quite a strong character herself. I think she'd be very proud of us and supportive of what we are doing," Elaine said.

Forcing a change in the law

They want to see the sentencing of domestic homicides changed. Currently perpetrators who kill in the home using a weapon kept in the home receive a sentence with a minimum prison term before being considered for parole, of around ten years less than those killed outside of the home.

The new Labour government says it plans to halve domestic violence involving women in ten years - but the Nuneaton couple say it is too late. They say more urgent action, including a change in sentencing law, is needed now.

"We can't go on as it is, every year there are over 100 women killed, over ten years, that's over 1,000, if it was anything else, any other crime, something would be happening more quickly," Elaine said.

"It is not just about knife crime for us as Megan was also strangled. So as far as we are concerned, it doesn't matter what the weapon is, there is this disparity of ten years between a home and outside the home."

Megan Newborough who was tragically murdered aged just 23
Megan Newborough who was tragically murdered aged just 23 -Credit:Image from Sky Crime channel 'Killers Caught on Camera'

The couple have been working with Killed Women, an organisation that is campaigning for change. They had held talks with the Conservatives when they held power in Parliament, and an agreement was made to raise the sentencing for domestic homicides with the murder taking place inside the home to 25 years.

Now, with a Labour government in power, the Newborough's want them to continue this work - increasing the sentencing as well as making quicker changes to stop domestic violence.

"They (Labour) say they are going to make changes to halve violence against women in ten years, we feel it is completely unacceptable, that is far too long," said Elaine.

Blue and black plaques

To hit their point home to Parliament, the Newborough's as well as other bereaved families affected by similar tragedies, are visiting London today (September 17). They are staging a protest, calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood, the Lord Chancellor, to include the issue on the government’s agenda as it returns from summer recess.

They are taking with them special plaques, similar to the blue plaques that are used to mark where prominent people were born or lived. Except the Killed Women plaques are black and blue, to signify domestic violence.

They also bear the names of women who have lost their lives, including Megan. The plaques will be taken down to Westminster where they will be included in a poignant display.

"We shouldn't have to be doing things like this, we should be putting our energies into getting us through each day and living a life the best that you can," Elaine said.

"But we will keep doing this," Anthony said. "We have to, for Megan.

"We have to get this change."

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